Each year time magazine identifies one individual as having the greatest impact on the world for that particular calendar year. Being the "Person of the Year" ... formally the "Man of the Year", does not mean the contribution of this person is a positive one; as an example in 1938 Adolf Hitler was labeled the"Man of the Year", and Joseph Stalin was twice given the title, once in 1939 and again in 1942.In 1982 "The Computer" became the first object to receive the distinction as it had the largest impact in the world at that time; and sometimes two or more people are identified as in 1998 when "Bill Clinton and Kenneth Starr" were identified as the "Man of the Year."In some years large groups are identified, for example in 1956 "The Hungarian Freedom Fighter"... in 1960 "U.S. Scientists"... in 1966 "Twenty-five and Under"... 1975 "American Women"... in 2003 "The American Soldier"... in 2006 "You" was the "Man of the Year" (This referred to the new concepts of the blog, social media, and user generated information.)For 2011 TIME Magazine has identified "The Protester" as the "Person of the Year." 2011 saw major protests all over the world from democracy rallies in China and Russia, to the Arab Spring Movements all over the Middle East, to the Occupy Movements here in the United States. 2011 truly was a historic year in terms of revolution and protests... perhaps the most revolutionary year in history!!!

Danielle Period 3

12/15/2011 05:50:56 am

I heard about this yesterday cool stuff. Goes to show how much they are getting noticed.

Julianna Period 2

12/15/2011 08:17:14 am

This blog is pretty cool. I never knew that we had "A Man of the Year". But, it just really goes to show you that the persons contributions did not have to be a positive one. Examples being Hitler and Stalin, they were horrible people. "The Protester" really fits for this year. There has been so many protests and rallies all over the world. I wonder what will happen in 2012 to be named "Man of the Year".

Daniel Period 2

12/15/2011 08:28:32 am

This kinda gets me mad. Well good for the protesters but that just seems like a strange thing to pick with all that has happened in the past calender year. I mean come on in the running were many notable figures such as Steve Jobs who made such a big impression on all of our lives. Instead Time picks the protester who had a big impression but did much good come out of it. It made out police look like a bunch of big jerks that pepper spray everyone. It also caused much unrest and many problems for not only the government but people just trying to live normal lives.

Katelyn R Per 2

12/15/2011 09:53:38 am

I think it is very neat that each year the time magazine chooses people or events that fit into the categories that are considered the year's best. Although some of the magazine's choices may seem arguable since many people and events may have also been considered to fit the category. In the years past I do not think that Stalin or Hitler should have been chosen for this award. Overall the other winners in the past seem reasonable and fit the category well.

Nikkii Period 6

12/15/2011 10:26:47 am

Although the choice to pick the protestors is unexpected and surprising, it does fit well with what happened over the course of this year. For weeks, the only thing heard when watching The Today Show was about the Egyptian protestors. Surely the Egyptians, for example, successfully tried to overthrown their leader, sacrificing much. However, there have been protests that would be pathetic to honor. For instance, the protesting against the college that was earlier blogged about. The students were allowed to protest, but not a night. Due to the fact that they decided to, they deserved all the punishment given. Another example why this topic should not have been chosen and perhaps the best, is the occupy protestors. There is no doubting that these people protested for the right reasons. Despite this, the peaceful movement turned violent quickly and resulted is the sexual assault of women, destruction of local parks, terrorized children, and all the like. In the end, I think it makes more sense to pick one person who did something astonishing that changed the world, similar to what Daniel said regarding Steve Jobs, than to cover a media stories that were documented for what seemed like forever.

Jessica Period 2

12/15/2011 10:28:54 am

I find it interesting to see that men such as Hitler and Stalin were given the title 'Man of the Year'...it is hard to believe that people who did so much harm are able to be given a title that one would think is a very honorable one. I'm glad to see something moving like 'The Protester' having been chosen. It is something that has a lot of meaning behind it and was all about bettering certain aspects of society.

Brianna period 1

12/15/2011 10:48:24 am

GO PROTESTING! I think it is awesome for people to protest and fight for what they think is right. It's cool that Time Magazine names a person or event for different categories each year. I think it is also a huge accomplishment for this man to get it, because he was doing something that he believed in and wanted the rest of the world to know. He was standing up for what he wanted so go him! He rocks!

Matt Per 4

12/15/2011 10:55:22 am

The man of the year should be Tyler the creator . just saying. not hitler, he was a pretty bad man. he killed alot of people.

Jamie Period 3

12/16/2011 03:25:30 am

The fact that they have a man of the year award is great for publicity and fame. The thing is that many people do bad things and they awarded the man of the year award for their efforts of causing people pain and misery. If the award was only given to people that did good things then people like Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin would have never been a "Man of the Year."

Matt Parisi Period 6

12/16/2011 09:13:02 am

I personally think that the title "Person of the Year" is quite misleading. It makes it seem like the topic is positive and is honorable, but Hitler and Stalin have earned this title. When you see something like that, you almost instantly think that the person did something good, when really, a good amount haven't. In this case, it is not even a person! And not only that, "You" was not the person of the year. That sounds like ghetto talk. Come on now people, have some originality. But I do like to see the protesters being recognized. They keep people in this country aware of whats going on, and speak for the people when the government can't. Good job, protesters! That's all I have to say about that.

Drisanna W. period 4

12/16/2011 09:27:35 am

the protesters are starting to get noticed because of there determination and bravery when it comes to standing up for what they believe in but if only they knew what they wanted.....

Kayla Period 3

12/16/2011 09:29:19 am

Over the years there have been interesting choices for "Person of the Year". It is not to surprising that they chose "The Protestor". This year was a huge year for protesting. Usually when you think about "Person of the Year" you think of someone good but some terrible people in history have been chosen.

Vence Period 6

12/16/2011 10:11:31 am

It's great Time Magazine has a "Person Of The Year". It gets the word out about these people or group and what they are doing. It surprised me that one year the computer won person of the year. Maybe other things will win in the future.

Tayla P 1

12/16/2011 11:44:26 am

Hitler and Stalin shouldnt have had man of the year. This is cool though. Its interesting that computers could win the award and the army did too.

Shawn Period 3

12/16/2011 12:00:45 pm

I didn't know that they could pick objects to represent for the best of the year. It really cool that the effects of protest are all around the world.

Rakel period 1

12/16/2011 01:36:31 pm

I think it is really good to have something like this, it can show what or who did something really good that year, Hitler and Stalin though should not be on that list.

Evan Period 6

12/16/2011 02:13:18 pm

I think that 'The Protester" is actually a great fit for the "Person of the Year" in 2011. I may not agree with some of the protests, but I do think that 2011 has been filled with a lot of defiance and the crave for freedom, and protesting seems like the way to go. But, like everything that gets over publicized, everyone will try to fit in with it and then what do you have? A bunch of people who have no idea what is going on without signs next to a bunch of people who have no idea what is going on with signs.

Corey Period 2

12/17/2011 02:18:22 am

I think it is great to see TIME Magazine identify "The Protester" as the "Person of the Year." This is a tribute to people taking a position on a topic and doing everything they can to bring attention to that cause and make a difference. People are questioning governments, corporations and other institutions to make a better future for everyone.

Sara Per2

12/18/2011 02:00:04 am

Times like these make me love being part of 2011 and the current generation! We've came so far, from Adolf Hitler being "Person of the Year" in 1938, to "The Protester" and making it about other people. I never really knew we had "People of the Year" awards but congratulations to everyone in the past years and in the future! :)

Lexi Period 1

12/18/2011 11:00:27 am

I like this blog a lot. It gives credit and achknowledges people that authorities typically just think of as the problem. I think its pretty awesome that Times is recognizing people standing up for what they believe in.

Ehamm period 2

12/19/2011 06:01:14 am

I feel like this is really cool, there is such a broad criteria for becoming "Man of The Year", and that’s incredible. Not necessarily for the negative people who have won this award, but for the ones who are being recognized for their positive impact on society, it must be a huge honor for them. Its nice for them to know to feel like their hard work really hasn’t gone unnoticed. They should have this as a large world wide award, but they should also have is for each country and each state. That way it really focuses in on the people who have really made a difference.

Cody Period 3

1/9/2012 04:08:15 am

Hitler the man of the year! this man of the year thing must be pretty dumb!

Keshia Period 4

1/19/2012 05:34:08 am

Its wierd for someone like that to be awarded man of the year. I think that this company doesnt only on on audience. They focus on all groups that have done something that will be remembered for a long time. Thats probably why Hitler got awarded that awarded. He may not have done anything right but he made history.